iFi Zen Dac V2 Review: Dear iFi… More, Please!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ธ.ค. 2024
- This is it… Get one and it's GGWP… Seriously.
Get the iFi Zen Dac V2 here amzn.to/3tlbZMz
Stuff I'm using: amazon.com/sho...
Tracks ► /@miracleofsound /@danbull
/ techhyped
/ techhyped
Got mine 5 days ago and a Dx3 Pro+ to compare. Zen Dac I just love the way it sounds 😍
The Dx3 Pro isn’t a fair comparison from what I hear… I desperately want to try the Fiio k7 as well, but I’m loving the ZDac ;)
@@TechHyped Isn't a fair comparison? Why so ?
Guess I gotta clarify that better... My bad.
Well, yeah, both are the same price, but it's a matter of what you're looking for on a dac-amp.
In a nutshell, I'd say the DX3 Pro+ is more neutral and has (theoretically) more power output, it's got more connection options, bluetooth with LDAC, remote controls and single-ended outs only.
The ZDv2 is warmer and wider sounding, has far more power than I think it was supposed to from the numbers on the box, is restricted in terms of connections coming IN, but has both single-ended and balanced options both when using it for headphones/IEMs or its outputs for speakers or other things, using it as a pre-amp.
The Dx3P+ is definitely more versatile, but in terms of *sound* I just don't think it's on par.
The ZDv2 isn't perfect, obviously, and I personally think it's strengths outweigh the other stuff, and if you're rocking tighter, harsher and more aggressive headphones, they tend to mellow them out, bring out great detail, opens them up to wider sounding stages and doesn't color the sound too much.
PLUS... TrueBass...!
(seriously, this thing is addictive...)
Now, all that said, I guess me saying "its not a fair comparison" was a bit much... In terms of $, fair game, but they're almost like "made for different things", you know?
@@TechHyped true, I totally agree. My choice was only driven by sound (and with my old Mac less issues using). But ... why you sat that power output is "only" theoretical more then on Zen Dac? I only read specs and difference is huge.
@@TechHyped that's make sense. I really wanted to buy ZD for its 6,5mm jack ,but I've just decided to buy DX3 Pro+ because of it's signature. I was afraid that with Audeze 2c warm amp will negativity interfere.
I would love to have these, but I need a second input 😭 Why don’t they put two inputs 😢
can u please tell me what i have to google for those iron rails u used under the desk?
Oh, I had them made with the desktop, actually. They are 2 steel bars to increase rigidity so I wouldn’t need a support beam in the middle, since my desk legs are quite far apart
@@TechHyped ty
Are you referring to the steel tape he used to fix the DAC/Amps? That is simple perforated steel tape (at least that seems to be the English term, don't quote me on that).. shouldn't be more than 20 bucks if you don't need huge amounts. You should be able to get it in every hardware store. If you're talking about something else (as Gus seems to hint at) please ignore my comment.
grat review my man, and great product, but did u hear any popping/clicking sound when moving between videos or changing tracks?or start any kind of audio on? , I have the issue, and its annoying
Thanks bro!
Not really, on the popping thing… last time I had anything like that it was actually my previous speakers and some faulty cables, but haven’t had issues with the zdv2.
Well, there is one thing that’s pissing me off with it losing connectivity with my macbook but that’s an issue with the hub im using and I’ve already ordered a replacement.
Hey man, did you find a fix for popping/clicking sound when moving between videos or changing tracks? I have the same problem...
Can you explain the TrueBass button more thoroughly? Like does it mess with the midrange at all? Does it make the music more fun to listen to? And If I were to get an open-back headphone like a 560S, which are notorious for not having a thumpy bass, would the Trubass button be my messiah?
Ok, since I don’t know *exactly* what it does, I’ll try to metaphor/anecdote my way to an answer:
It works kinda like a bass boost, but it does it in such a fashion that almost “produces bass” where the headphones/speakers weren’t capable of on their own.
To your example of the 560s, it doesn’t thump/slap because of it’s sound signature and open design. Most likely, with TrueBass, you’d feel now only a reinforced bass response, with more pronounced low-end across the entire spectrum, but also the Thump you’ve never heard with them.
My 58x work exactly like that with TrueBass on, for example. I can hear sub-bass, low-end decay, feel the slap and enjoy detail in the lower notes that it normally can’t portray.
Now, does that bleed into the midrange or mess with the treble? *MOST OF THE TIME*, no, but if the headphones are already pushing towards a more low-endy approach, it can happen. I don’t use truebass when listening to my Fostex Ebony’s, my Kef Q150 or some IEMs that already have a pronounced low-end, because even if the detail or thump could be enhanced, it messes with the rest more than I’m ok with.
@@TechHyped Really appreciate the detailed explanation!! I'm currently using a closed back Senn hd 400s which can reproduce some thump and don't wanna lose that if I upgrade in the future... Thanks mate, may God bless your day!
You’re welcome bro!
Cant decide between this and the schiit magni with the internal dac
Hey Gus, thanks for the review. I've got one of these arriving today. Genuinely curious to see the differences to what has been my DAC for the last year or so: Fosi Audio Q4. I'm using the X2HRs so it will be the unbalanced out for me. Have you been using the MQA decoder at all? Which mode do you find yourself using the most?
Thanks for watching, mate! Appreciate it ;)
Mqa hasn’t gone online more than once during the review, and never again since.
On another note: Just got a FosiAudio speaker amp to review, curiously enough lol!
@@TechHyped Nice one. My first impressions of the Ifi are that for music it's much better than the Q4, which was expected. However, last night during an extended sim racing session in AMS 2 the sound completely cut out then returned multiple times. It was plugged in by USB only. I have a 5v power supply arriving today to see if that fixes the issue. Will be a bummer if it doesn't.
I have one was perfect until it’s a noise buzzing in the left channel, it looks that it’s when I connect the usb but it isn’t the cable because it’s ok. Do you have any idea what the problem is ?
Does it have enough power for 250 Ohm headphones like 1990s ?
Yes, they do. Does it have enough power to murder you with volume on them? Not exactly, but its quite capable.
You’d need something more demanding than the 1990s to make these keel over.
@@TechHyped OKay I got them today, let me tell you it sounds as good as an DAC souble the cost its terrific.. I gues the Burr Brown converter plays a role as well
@@LukasBlau ive been searching for days, i brought beyerdynamic dt 770 pro 250 ohm headphones thinking a behringer u phoria umc22 interface would support them, it doesn't btw, it seems they require 4 car battery's and a nuclear power station to run them, if i buy this amp will they sound good or will i just waste more money ??? i make music btw so i would like a good sound
It works, but don’t expect it to BLAST them.
@@TechHyped have u got any recommendations for the best quality for 250 ohm headphones ??? (affordable)
very good video gus! do you think that earphones would be a good match with this DAC (I own a shure se846)?
Well, unless you need “phenomenal cosmic power” to drive whatever you have there, this is a good match. And the powermatch helps as well ;)
Oh, and thanks bro! 😁🤘🏻
I would love to try one of these against the new JDS Labs Atom 2 on my desk, but something about iFi just doesn't sit well with me. They've increased the price of the Zen DAC by $100 and all they did was switch to USB-C and add DSD512. Also, a $70 power adapter DEFINITELY gives me pause. And that they're publishing specs using it. Now it's a $300 dac amp.
I agree. I never actually used mine with a power supply and my experience with it was awesome, but if you need the psu to get to numbers your gear requires, $300 may not make it a definitive win anymore.
@@TechHyped In your opinion, is there an "iFi Burr-Brown" sound or does it sound like every other product in this range?
Hummmm.. aside from the magic bass button, its clean and colorless. I don’t particularly feel like it has an “ifi voice”.
There was a firmware update to this DAC which allows it to be compatible with the PS5.
Yes, the Zen DAC will work with PS5 if powered separately by a 5v power supply.
@@philipcooper8297doesn’t need to be powered with 5v on PS5. While I do use one, it has not been required (in fact I need to remove the 5v in order to reconnect if I have a power outage).
Enjoyed the review Gus 🥰👍😇. Awesome looking product w/ a decent feature set 💪👍. Shame about the MASSIVE price increase 😵😢. Here in Australia 🇦🇺 this retails for about $330 USD 🤦♀🤦. Rip off here and thats for the model without a power cable OUCH 🤕! Might keep an eye out on a local Amazon / eBay sale for this DAC thou. Cheers buddy 🍻
Thanks, mate!
Yeah, the price increase was indeed MASSIVE (proportionally, at least), but the main issue on your end is that importing stuff down under is DAMN EXPENSIVE.
At $330 its at the very very limit of what I would still consider as “worth it” for the unit, but the separate power supply hurts and if there’s other schiit (lol) that’s less expensive and in the same league, there’s no argument in its favor.
Too bad $330 won’t get you a Burson hahaha (I think…. With the conversion right now I believe it wouldn’t).
Cheers!
Is it necessary to install any software or firmware?
Nope. I never had after a few weeks, to be honest lol
@Gus Gonzalez just bought a pair of Focal Mg Clears, looking to get a starter amp for my PC setup. Would you say for bass I should get these over the FIO K5 Pro ess / jds labs element 3 too but my local store can get the ifi quickly. To note im a basshead with my edm. Just wondering your thoughts for the Focals.
Thats a “hard” question. The k5 pro ess is a “worse” competitor than the K7 in contrast to the ZenDacV2, and the Element 3 is, arguably, quite a bit better… like… very much better.
That said, you being a basshead, I’d go for the V2 just because of the truebass thing…
Yeah, if you have the money you could get the Element3 and eq your stuff in software or with an analog eq like the Schiit Loki/Lokius, but the “one button to rule them all” approach to bass of the ZDV2 is just “magical” lol
Awesome review Gus! I have the same one and I'm using a Mac Studio. Curious, does yours change colors depending on the bit rate? I'm using Apple Music and when I change the bit rate if doesn't change color. Trying to figure out how to fix. Thanks!
Sup dude! Thanks!
I’m almost regretting not having gotten a Mac Studio instead of a mbp, but now its too late lol!
Anyway, I’ve only seen it change colors when playing MQA crap through Tidal so far.
Not sure if that’s by design, but through Apple Music (my app of choice as well) it stays yellowish/greenish all the time.
@@TechHyped That's super weird. My is White all the time. Any suggestions? Btw, I also have the MBP M1 and you're not missing anything from the Studio. Love what you have. ;)
Nooo idea regarding the lights on the ZDv2... Sorry bro!
On the Studio, it's just that I don't *REALLY* need a notebook anymore, so I could have gone for the studio considering I have everything else (monitor, keyboards etc) and make due with the extra ports etc etc.... But instead I just got a 16 inch m1 pro to sub my 13inch m1.... And I'm under the impression I'm gonna sell it rather quickly to grab something else once all the m2 crazyness drops next month, lol.
@@brianres You may try updating the driver through their website. I started seeing different colours after updating drivers. There are different versions available on the website. The description mentions about the LED colour etc.
@@brianres Did add a filter? that makes the LED stay white.
iFi Zen DAC 3 or AUDIENT iD14 MK II? Which is better? its same price.
is the Fosi Audio k5 Pro Good Enough to pair with the truthear x Crinacle Zero (blue)?
Can you hook this up to an older pc that doesn't have usb 3.0 and still work? My old desktop pc only has usb 2..0.
Yes.
In your opinion, is the only Zen Dac V2 it is preferable to the Zen Dac AIR / Zen CAN combo? (I mean with the Zen CAN connected by RCA in the Zen Dac AIR)
Fiio k7 dac vs ifi zen v2 dac ?
I'm bumping up the question if anyone has had a chance to compare the K7 with the iFi zen V2. Both in the same price range rally so it's great to have a comparison if anyone has already had a chance to check it out.
Especially for an open headphone like the HD560S or DT900 ProX for example.
This vs Focusrite Scarllet 2i2 Mk2 for Shure 1840. I already have the interface and looking for an upgrade. I am looking for something flat, studio grade. Thank you
This is *absolutely* better in terms of the headphone out, but its not flat or studio-grade in that sense.
You’d be better off with a thx dac/amp or one of the newer stuff from Topping, due to those specifics (flat/studio-grade)….
@@TechHyped Thank you. I will look for some reviews for something from Topping. I don't like the sound to be modifier. I like it as it was made by the producer and saved int othe file/cd/stream.
Same here. Its my preferred signature for an amp. If it has a way to modify the signature, boost bass or anything like that, as long as its a “toggle”, I’m fine with it.
Honestly, the ZDacV2 is absolutely awesome and sounds REEEEEEALLY GOOD.
My thx888 Aaa is sitting on a shelf here, barely usade
Ive got the hifiman edition xs, had to return my schiit hel2, should I pick up a zen Dac or a schiit stack?
Oooh… ahn… not sure. Depends on your preferences for sound I guess, and the stack has more power
you should definetly try the singature set
I desperately want to! 😖
Can someone tell me what the GTO filter does?
I'm a little confused here because I think this absolutely needs stacking with the Zen Can (or another amp) to really get the power I need for someone like a Sennheiser 800. It's not even a maybe, it's an absolute definitely.
Hey, I just got the sundara and the volume is really low when connected to my pc and macbook m1 max. I later found out it needs a dac for actual power, so I was thinking of getting the v3 of this. But I read online that this isn't powerful enough and is not really a dac AND amp, their own site only lists it as a dac. Can you help, is this a suitable dac for my needs?
Hi all. I'm sorry but did you say that if you plug in headphones, your connected speakers will still be playing???? Is tere there a workaround for this?
This is absolute no deal for me if that's the case.
Bro i don`t understand these things but can i use this Dac with both speakers and headphones and how do u make eq settings lol thanks alot
Sorry if I don’t answer exactly what you wanted, but you can use these for headphones and speakers simultaneously, yes. I fact? Having speakers hooked up won’t shut off the headphones and vice-versa.
As for EQ, anything you apply BEFORE the dac will affect both the headphone and speakers, and both the TrueBass tech and the high/low gain will also affect the output for both headphones and speakers.
I have just bought ifi Uno for my HE400SE & Meze 99 classics. Should I upgrade to Zen Dac V2??
I unfortunately don’t know enough about the Uno to say much here. What I can point from the information I can find is:
- the ZenDac V2 is over 2x the price, which leads me to believe it SHOULD be better
- the ZDv2 has balanced outs
- the ZDv2 supports more audio formats
- the ZDv2 is a MQA Decoder while the Uno is a Renderer
- the Uno has usb-C instead of B
- the v2 is apparently more powerful
- the ZDv2 has TrueBass….. (magic button)
That all said, unless the Uno CAN’T power your headphones properly, I wouldn’t upgrade right now. But if you’re still within your return window for the Uno, might be useful to also grab a ZDv2, test them both and see which you’d keep.
What is the advantage of USB-B over USB-C?@@TechHyped
is this compatible with dt 990 pros 250 ohm?
Hello! I just bought a Zen Dac V2 and it does not allow me to control the volume of Windows 10 (on the OS), I can only do it from the Dac wheel. Please could you tell me if this can be modified? I already installed all the software and firmware versions and I couldn't fix the problem. Maybe there is some software or firmware that can fix the problem. thanks!
Ifi dac zen V2 7.1 channel yes or not
Is anyone able to tell me if I can get the "enhancments" tab in the properties of your playback device in the sound control panel with the iFi Zen DAC V2? This is the tab with loudness equalization for footsteps in fps games like mw2/warzone. TIA
Sorry bro, don’t know how to get there. I’ll research it to check, though. Get back to ya asap
Yes you can. I tested for someone a few weeks ago. I’m PS5 so don’t use it that way and forget the exact steps. I remember having to right click somewhere to open a separate menu on Win 11
finally a real proper review, thanks bro
Ur welcome, bro! 🤘🏻
Can I pair this with my HD560s? For gaming
Unfortunately, no… If you fire up any game, the ZenDac 2 will tell your PC to shut down.
😜
Just kidding! Yeah, mate. You sure can
Love my IFI Go Blue 😊
Great video and Happy New Year 🎊
Happy new year!
Is It good option for Beyerdynamics DT 1990 pro ?
I had the 700 ProX and 900 proX for some time, the 990 pro is a thousand times more satisfying
Was thinking about this DAC to pair with an HD660s.. Should i connect unbalanced or balanced ?
660s?
If you have the cables for driving them balanced, zero reason not to!
@@TechHyped Well they come with both, balanced and unbalanced cables. Copy that thanks for the input. Was just missing the last piece, the DAC to choose. Thanks for the awsome review.
Truuue! I always forget Sennheiser sends both cables with some of their headphones… Anyways, you’re welcome, bro!
Hey there, did you end getting this to pair with you 660s? Your feedback would be highly appreciated. Thank you!
@@kazmeisterkometh122 Nop, got the FioO K7 instead
i got this yesterday, for 75, used, but never really used, just stood in the box. cables are still with og cable ties, and peels and plugs are still in. clean af. box still smell new. and bout to get a hifiman edition xs to enjoy with it, and i just got a deal from someone and already agreed to let it go for 325. by next week ill have edition xs and ifi zen dac v2, for $400!!!!!!!!!!!!! less then the headphones price alone. and the headphones will be checked before purchase, gonna make sure that it ddnt suffer from hifiman's poor QC.
Holy crap, dude! Awesome!
@@TechHyped thanks, currently enjoying the zen dac with the HD6xx
Also, I always advocate for trying to hunt for used audio gear. Most collector or audiophile take care of their gears like babies. So most of the time you gonna get a decent item.
why not using balanced cable?
Don’t have a balanced 4.4 for most of my headphones ;/
I’ve had it for a week and I can’t get this thing to connect to a laptop or iPhone to save my life.
I have the beyerdynamic DT 900 pro x and I have literally tried every dac/amp with them and I didn’t like, I preferred the pc onboard audio……then I came across this Badboy and it’s awesome, makes the headphones sound how they should sound, I use them for gaming that’s it. Worth every penny 👍
contemplating if i should get this for my HD650 😅
Why not? If you can test for a couple of days and return it, even better, but I don’t think you will.
Good review! you deserve more subs
Thanks dude! Spread the word ;)
Late comment bit do you have a software you use? I just have the standard one for the DAC paired with Dolby Atmos but I'm not sure what's the best for this. I'd like to be an audiophile lol. Also, any tips with the for gaming?
I just use it hooked up via usb and do everything as normal.
AppleMusic, Spotify, SoundCloud and Qobuz for music.
For gaming, its just my systems audio out, so, don’t really need to do anything special!
I'm loving it!!!!
Ifi zen dac v2 vs fiio k7?
Have you decided on any of them?
Very good review! Top-notch.
Thanks bro!
I've bought this little beauty about 2 months ago. It is my first true DAC after using USB sound cards for years.
I've hooked it up to my M1 MacBook Pro and connected the RCA outputs to my set of PreSonus Eris E4.5 BT active monitor speakers.
Sound quality wise it totally rocks both with Roon and Audirvana (3.5 & Studio).
The only issue I've run into was stuttering while playing Tidal MQA files. I've tried several of the firmware updates iFi offers. And ended up using the 7.4c firmware. So far this seems to have fixed the issue.
Every other format that I've tried played perfectly fine. Tidal FLAC, Qobuz FLAC, my own collection of FLAC, AAC and MP3. And a few DSD albums I've found on the Internet. No problems there whatsoever.
The lack of a power adapter isn't an issue for me. As I'm not using special headphone gear. The only cans that I have are a Bluetooth powered JBL Tour One.
I've bought it from Amazon for 199 Euro. Which is acceptable to me.
Summary: Very happy with it. And definitely recommend it to everyone else, who are looking for an excellent DAC in this price category.
I also Have a MAcbbok Pro M1 + Sennheiser HD 660s and B&O H6 Gen2, I'd like to ask is there a noticeable improvement over ther Cirrus Dac and amp in our macbooks? I do Use boom software on mac, to boost the power output and The mac can already push HD660s plenty loud, but I'd like something more refined and to use that balanced cable I have :D
Yes, there are benefits. Power by itself is just part of what you’d get extra from an external dac/amp compared to what’s inside the Macbooks.
The 14-16 inch pros have a better dac/amp than the 13inch and Air, and even on those there are gaps an external rig will help compensate/deal with.
That said, its probably not going to be a humongous difference… Aside from truebass.
@@TechHyped Right I get it, anyhow.
The order is placed, my Zen V2 it's on the way, you conviced me enough with your video :)
Hahahah. Well, let’s hope your taste for sound aligns with mine! Have fun, mate!
@@TechHyped I suppose it will, I'm not into clinical listening experience. I like a little colour to my music. I preffer a bit fun rather than 100% dead on accuracy.
The price went back down😂
How would you compare the iFI Zen Dac v2 vs the Topping DX3 Pro+? And which one do you prefer when using Sennheiser HD 560 S?
Using an answer to another comment here, but I guess it works:
Well, both are the same price, but it's a matter of what you're looking for on a dac-amp.
In a nutshell, I'd say the DX3 Pro+ is more neutral and has (theoretically) more power output, it's got more connection options, bluetooth with LDAC, remote controls and single-ended outs only.
The ZDv2 is warmer and wider sounding, has far more power than I think it was supposed to from the numbers on the box, is restricted in terms of connections coming IN, but has both single-ended and balanced options both when using it for headphones/IEMs or its outputs for speakers or other things, using it as a pre-amp.
The Dx3P+ is definitely more versatile, but in terms of *sound* I just don't think it's on par.
The ZDv2 isn't perfect, obviously, and I personally think it's strengths outweigh the other stuff, and if you're rocking tighter, harsher and more aggressive headphones, they tend to mellow them out, bring out great detail, opens them up to wider sounding stages and doesn't color the sound too much.
PLUS... TrueBass...!
(seriously, this thing is addictive...)
Now, all that said, in terms of $, fair game, but they're almost like "made for different things", you know?
To pair with the 560s, I think I’d prefer the zdv2, so as to not push in too much neutrality into it, plus the extra width and truebass…
@@TechHyped Hi, i know that you are probably getting a lot of questions like that so feel free to ignore it, but I was wondering how would you feel if you had to choose one of these DACs for AKG K702? Can you even imagine a case in which you would choose the topping over ZDv2 or is ZDv2 just overall better for you? I'm new to this stuff and I think that i'm looking for neutral-sounding DAC but I don't know whether that's a good mindset.
@smaught_ I actually dont get many comments overall, so I’m fully ok to try and answer any question I can ;)
Anyway, as for your question, when I had a k702 I never used it for “leisure listening”, only for more “clinical” stuff, and since the zdv2 is at the top of my list due to that special magic button and I dont use that for clinical work, ai guess either would work just fine.
@@TechHyped thanks a lot for replying! Really appreciate the time and effort. What do you mean with what I would be looking for on a dac-amp? Would you prefer them in a different situation and what would those be? That could help a lot with making the right choice 😁. If there is another option within the same estimate price range that would be a better option, I would also be glad to hear about that!
@@anon8502 People generally have their own taste in case of sound. Therefore they search for specifically sounding hardware.
Looks awesome to me, but the fact that the speakers wont switch off when plugging in some headphones is a game breaker to me. My speakers have their power switch on the back and its damn uncomfy to reach to end of my desk all the time to switch them on and off. I so hoped it would be an automatic on and off at this DAC... DAMN 🤔
The Sound Demo of Zen Dac V2 is here:
th-cam.com/video/F2nZKhkHCo8/w-d-xo.html
Never understand why people use headphones and spen so much money on them. Only reason I can think of is bad neighbors 😂
Lol!
That AND the “what the f?” moment when you get your mind blown by a nutsy pair and is instantly hooked hahaha.
People spend money on way stupider things.
New clothes for example when they already have hundreds of used ones.
Alcohol for example.
Parties in general .
All depends on priorities
Nais
Hello. Have you ever tried to plug your headphones, even of 250 ohms, directly into the headphone jack of a Macbook M2 or Macbook AIR M2? You will see that we even no longer need a DAC or Amp, these new generation MAC computers equipped with revolutionary Apple Silicone processors are all equipped by default with a 3.5 mm output compatible with high-impedance headphones.
You tried it yourself?
Great product. Too bad it had MQA :)
They offer 3 versions of the current firmware and one removes the MQA capabilities
Hahaha.. that crap was overpriced at $130 let alone now at $200
Sorry for the question, but do you even know what you are talking about?
No it wasn’t; still isn’t; and yes I do.
Now go ahead and detail your own experience to show us all what gives you the right to act like a condescending prick lol…
Pro tip: nothing does, unless it's for laughs.
@@TechHyped The truth hurts uh..
Who gives me the right to be a prick??
That sentence well qualifies you 👍
Bro, not sure if anyone's ever told you this, but using "faux politeness" to ask a question that implies incompetence isn't "funny" sarcasm. It's disrespectful.
And yes, pointing that out does qualify me as someone who's not going to let you or anyone else act poorly around here...
Difference in opinions is never a problem, as long as a conversation can be held with respect, and I'm never in the mood to let it slide. If your aim was to discuss why my opinion is different than yours, you should learn how to better phrase stuff.
@@TechHyped fair enough..
I have been disrespectful my bad...
I dont like the product and its pricing that is.
Apart for the Burr Brown chip nothing else has a good implementation on this product.
$200 is way too much especially without a power supply that may increse our cost by $130.
Poor desined output stage.
I had one for a week for testing. Not even worth to tweek it up nor modify it; there are dongle/dacs already better sounding than this.
All this compared to what you may ask.. compared to a Geishelly AKM dac, separated tube linear PS, Sparkos opamps output stage, dedicated class A headphone out. Thats my setup but a vanilla Geshelly smokes this out of the water at a similar price.
Thats my opinion and the gear is based on. Different opinions I know and thats fine. Its 30 years do buy, mod, sell or make from scratch audio gear.
NOOOW we're talking! Thanks for answering back, by the way.
I have a MAJOR gap here over stuff you mentioned as I've not tested anything from Geshelly yet (I'm moving to remedy that soon, though), so in this head-to-head I couldn't comment, obviously.
The setup though, with an AKM Dac + separate tube linear PS + sparkos opamps + class A headphone out, doesn't matter the cost of it (though, correct me if I'm wrong but I have the impression it's over $200 all in... Right?), customized to your liking it was bound to sound better to you anyways...
I mean, if you're looking at an insane all-in-one costing upwards of like $3 or $4k for example, there's an intangible probability you'll trick yourself into thinking its better at everything *because* you're putting in loads of cash.
About the DacV2 specifically, I can't really say anything different from my own experience (which is basically the review).
I'd say though, that the Modius DAC + IEMagni is a damn impressive combo that's dang powerful and sounds great, and aside from the obvious disparity in power capability (at least through USB, since I couldn't test with a PS), the ZenDacV2 at least for me, doesn't lag behind...
Am I the only one who's had a positive experience? Nope. Are you the only one who's had a negative run? Ooooooh I doubt it.
But burr-brown multibit chipset and the 16x xmos chip I'd guess are THE reasons why it can perform as well as it does (for me, lol).
OH, but hey, can't forget that yes, I did say that at $200 I still think it's awesome, but I'd 100% axe the damn MQA stuff if that'd let me pay like $170 instead. EASY.
That Zen SUCKS!!!
the real use of Zen DAC is to see who on the internet is trust worthy and who is an ass kisser. Spiller alert! This guy can't be trusted. At 150 Euro, was the exact same price SMSL M7 was 5 YEARS before it, and on my desk right now is still the SMSL M7. The zen DAC is so atrociously bad that I gave it away for free. In fact the only DAC I EVER heard to be worse then Zen DAC was the ZEN Blue, but that has the redeeming quality of being a BT adaptor so I can send out the signal via an optical cable. Zen DAC was so bad that not even an 1500 Euro tube amp was able to make it enjoyable. It sounds harsh, the digital glare is off the charts, it is sharp with low resolution. If 5 years later they produce WORSE SOUND for the exact same money, it means this trash was overpriced to begin with and now thy are asking 200 Euros? Once I got it was mine, it was free for me to keep it, right? It is so bad that it does not justify the space it occupies, not even talking about the cost here. All they had to do was to take the HipDac take out the battery and make it run on external battery. That was all they had to do, and they fucked it up.
Sooooo your personal opinion as to why it sounds/is bad makes someone else automatically untrustworthy?
Good to know you have such impeccable taste. Must be nice!
That said, no product is everlastingly good/great, and I’m sure there are other (probably) out there right now that are better, but in MY opinion, the zendac is damn good, but you are, obviously, still entitled to your opinion… whatever it is.
@@TechHyped when a product is literally worse then a 5 y.o. one, and you can actually A-B them, and when you need gear 10 times the price just to make it pass 15 min of use, but it is presented as something so good it is under priced, of course you can't trust the info you receive from that source. When you see such a difference with any product you are like "wow that guy really nailed it, I will trust him in the future"? If so this tells more about your decision making skills then anything else. Dude I even told IFI admins on their sub-reddit, they took my feedback and they were never surprised or "it must be a defective unit" so if this is not news for them, it means I am right.
Well, unfortunately there's a difference between what you're interpreting from your interaction with the Reddit Admins from iFi and what's most likely the real scenario, which is basically a brand positively acknowledging a poor experience from a customer and trying to make you as a customer feel a bit better about the whole thing by taking your 2 cents in... This is actually commendable on their part and 100% the very least ANY brand should do when confronted by a situation like this.
On a parallel point though, to your point about it being "worse than other 5 yo gear", unfortunately we're talking about audio equipment and, even if you have measurements to "prove your point", measurements don't automagically mean something is better or worse. There are plenty of measurements online that definitely DEFINITELY show something as being "better" than something else, sometimes from the same company (see Sennheiser's 5-6-7-800 series headphones... Low-hanging fruit example, I know, but just goes to show that it's actually damn easy to find examples of this), that in actual usage mean either nothing or something so bizarrely contradictory to reality that it might as well not exist.
And to add to that, 2 things:
1 - still on the measurements thing, target audio curves are an ABSOLUTE way to prove my point... There are many curves out there and I know several people who would disagree completely in regards to almost all of them when compared to what they "actually like" in terms of how something sounds.... Again, sorry mate, but we're still talking about your *opinion*, to which you're entitled to, 100%, and I'm fine with that, but your opinion doesn't give you the right or ground to stand on to call someone else out like you're trying to do to me in this instance.
2 - Let's get one thing straight: strategically speaking, me ass-kissing iFi and doubling-down on mistakes by brands like Samsung or Razer would be incredibly stupid... After all, if you're going to ass-kiss some big brand or whatever, why not do it with the actual BIGGER ONES that are more likely to eventually make me more money? And yeah, it has to have to do with money, otherwise there's no reason to ass-kiss *any* brand. Just go around the channel and take a look. The proof is in the videos that are all 100% public on the channel, because I'm 100% not one to praise things that shouldn't be praised.
If our opinions are different, all that means is "we don't like the same things". Wanna call anyone a shill? By all means, but at least get your facts straight first.
ps: I stand by my review, I super enjoyed (and still do) the ZenDac V2, actually sold my Schiit Magni/modi stack because of it, and I still use it a heck of a lot more than I thought I would even when not using IEMs.
ps2: Still use my SMSL THX AAA888 more in overall time and my speakers being powered by something *else* at least twice as much as the SMSL888.
Thanks 🎥🎛️ Hope you trend 💵💵💵💵💵😅
Thanks bro!